Hannah’s sponsorship delight

Paralympic and triple world champion Hannah Cockroft has spoken of her delight at being sponsored by Halifax company Caravan Guard for the seventh year running.

The local caravan insurance firm presented Hannah with a cheque for £2,000 to see her through to the 2016 Rio Paralympics next September.

“For me to have a local, home-town sponsor is so nice,” said Hannah. “Caravan Guard has been there since the beginning, before I won anything and it’s nice they are following me throughout my whole career.

“They were that pathway to the gold medal because they got me the chair that I raced my first world championships in. I know that Caravan Guard will still support me and believe in what I’m trying to do.”

The sponsorship money helps Hannah to pay for her racing wheelchair, as well as replacement wheels, tyres, gloves, speedometers, physio and travel expenses to competitions.

“It’s so important because aside from going out and getting a job, it’s something I wouldn’t be able to afford to do myself,” added Hannah.

The Halifax-born athlete visited the Caravan Guard headquarters, posed for selfies with staff, and showed off her latest trio of gold medals, which she secured at the 2015 IPC World Championships in Doha for the T34 100m, 400m and 800m.

“It’s great because I have all three titles; Paralympic, World and European champion.

“I’m also a world record holder so there isn’t much more I can do but keep retaining things. And it’s also great that the distances that I can race have increased.

“This year they introduced the 400 metres into my repertoire, which is a fantastic opportunity and I’m doing everything I can to make sure I get all three in Rio now.”

Managing director of Caravan Guard, Ryan Wilby, said: “It was an honour to continue to support a local hero. We were delighted Hannah took time out of her busy schedule to come and visit us and we’re proud to have sponsored her throughout her racing career.”